It’s not every day someone turns 106, but on 24th February, Peninsula Villages resident Biddy Abrahams did just that. In honour of this milestone birthday, we thought we would share a bit about Biddy’s life, as recalled by Biddy.
Biddy Abrahams was born on 24th February 1917 under the Warren Bridge, about 120 kilometres north of Dubbo.
“Me mother decided to go for a swim and I decided it was time to jump out,” Biddy explained.
This birth story certainly set the tone for Biddy’s colourful life and passion for living. Biddy was raised by her grandparents and spent the first 14 years of her life either droving sheep or being fostered out when times were difficult.
At the age of 14, she was sent to a private school in Eastwood where she received four years of education then later trained to be a nursery help for a nanny. Following this, in 1941, Biddy joined the Women’s Land Army where she started off picking cabbages and fruit before being transferred into a role where she was responsible for delivering mail to different farms.
“Because I didn’t know how to ride a bike, I was given a horse to complete my rounds,” she recalled.
Biddy looks back at this time in her life fondly as it gave her an opportunity to be back in the bush, acting resourceful and feeling valued.
After the Army, Biddy became a cook at the Tresillian Home for unwed mothers in Vaucluse and later worked at David Jones. Biddy also met Eric after the Army, who she dated for six years before marrying. Together, they travelled around Australia and enjoyed many a holiday to Umina Beach.
Biddy and Eric’s love for the Peninsula region and the Central Coast lifestyle led them to eventually retire here in the early 80s. Sadly, Eric has passed away now but Biddy continues to make the most of every day. She’s been living at Peninsula Villages for over eight years and enjoys the independence of having her own space where she can enjoy hobbies such as knitting, crochet and embroidery!